The first known sushi restaurant in North America opened in Los Angeles in 1966. In the late 1960s, the California roll was introduced. In the 1980s and 1990s, sushi became mainstream in American culture. It continued to grow in popularity and there are now more than 19,600 sushi restaurants in the U.S., representing a 4.8% growth in 2023 alone.
The DMV loves its sushi. Hanaro has been in Bethesda since 2016 and was rebranded Kusshi in early 2024. It was conceptualized with the intention of encapsulating what its managing partners, Wesley Yao and Kevin Lin, believed Japanese food and sushi could be. David Lee (VA/DC) and Jordan Lee (MD/DC) serve as the brand's regional managers.
Wesley and Kevin can be seen throughout the DMV assisting in all facets of daily operations. They also utilize their time strategizing how to optimize current opportunities for growth and long-term outreach to their esteemed guests.
Kusshi's new Rockville Town Center location opened in July of that year. Kusshi Town Center Reston is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025. Their flagship location is in the North Bethesda's Pike & Rose.
Sushi Favorites
Their signature bite, Kusshi Seared Salmon, exemplifies what makes Japanese food amazing – quality ingredients presented with approachable flavors. The bite starts with a sushi-grade salmon belly, which has a higher fat content, creating a tender vessel sandwiched between sushi rice and their seared sauce. This style, often called Tataki, can be found in other Japanese restaurants. However, Kusshi's secret is in the seared sauce that almost becomes a warm blanket when it’s bruleed onto the fish.
The Firecracker Roll balances the aspects of raw ingredients with cooked ones. This is ideal for guests who have started to venture past introductory sushi rolls like a California, but want to take it slow. Texturally, the roll has elements of crunch, heat, and creaminess.
Other rollsthat have started to gain in popularity include the Lava, Ovi, and Cherry Blossom. Wesley’s favorite is the Lava Roll as well as one of their newest additions, the Got Beef? Roll.
Kitchen Favorites
Teriyaki Chicken, one of the most recognizable Japanese dishes, is a staple on the menu. Kusshi provides a large portion to ensure that their guests feel like they're getting true value.
Shrimp & Vegetable Tempura is breaded and fried to order. The culinary team tested a variety of shrimp options and decided on the jumbo shrimp because of its taste and value.
Wesley’s favorite kitchen item is the Hamachi Kama—a broiled yellowtail collar that’s traditionally served at Japanese bars called Izakayas. Many often overlook the yellowtail collar because of its proximity to the gills. When cooked, the collar is texturally reminiscent of steak.
Reader's Choice Award
At our holiday party in December, Kusshi Sushi received a Potomac Lifestyle Magazine reader's choice award.
Whether you’re coming in for a dining experience, socially gathering with friends and family, or decompressing over a late night meal after a long shift; give Kusshi a try. It's worth your while to check out the new Kusshi Sushi Rockville Town Square location at 36 Maryland Avenue!
kusshisushi.com/menu-rockville-town-square/
KUSSI SUSHI LOCATIONS
MARYLAND
Bethesda Woodmont Triangle
7820 Norfolk Ave
Bethesda, MD
North Bethesda Pike & Rose
11826 Trade Street
North Bethesda, MD
Rockville Town Square
36 Maryland Ave
Rockville, MD
Silver Spring Downtown
8512 Fenton Street
Silver Spring, MD
DC
Glover Park
2309 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC
VIRGINIA
Tysons Pike 7 Plaza
8365 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA
Arlington Westport
at National Landing
1201 S Joyce Street
Arlington, VA
Reston Town Center
(COMING SOON - 2025)
11909 Democracy Drive
Reston, VA
Kusshi was conceptualized with the intention of encapsulating what the partners believed Japanese Food and Sushi could be.
Whether you’re coming in for a dining experience, socially gathering with friends and family, or decompressing over a late night meal after a long shift; give Kusshi a try.